When I got my new PC, I formatted the SSD and did a full install of Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit. I installed all of the software/drivers from the ASUS DVD supplied with the motherboard and video card.

I have then applied all of the available Microsoft Windows updates.

When Playing BF3, I noticed that when the round ended, the sound would cut out on the scoreboard screen for about 10 seconds. I was connected to a Teamspeak server, and the other users could hear me, I just couldnt hear them or the game music.

I reinstalled the audio driver using the files from the ASUS website, just in case the files were newer than those on the DVD. No change in the disconnected sound.

I read that the NVIDIA Experience streaming application can cause issues, so I stopped and disabled the service. No change in the disconnected sound.

I was watching a video online about the earthquakes in NZ, and the issue occurred during the video. I then reset the BIOS to defaults, just incase it was a setting I had changed. No change in the disconnected sound.

I am able to easily replicate my issues just by playing BF3, and when the round ends, waiting for the sound issue to occur on the BF3 scoreboard screen.

While I was in the middle of a game, I received an error from Windows; "Windows Audio Device Graph Isolation has stopped working". A reboot was required to make the sound work again. At this point, I installed the NVIDIA latest BETA driver (fresh install and removal of old version before installing the new one), as I wanted to rule out the video card causing the issue. I also disabled the NVIDIA sound devices in Device Manager. No change.

Becuase of the Windows error, which also had an event in the event log;
Faulting application name: AUDIODG.EXE, version: 6.1.7600.16385, time stamp: 0x4a5bced5.
Faulting module name: RTKSMlfx.dll, version: 6.2.9200.20550, time stamp: 0x51a73f09
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Faulting application path: C:\Windows\system32\AUDIODG.EXE
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\system32\RTKSMlfx.dll
Report Id: 372d5483-0712-11e3-af23-240a643918d9

I then proceeded to run a "sfc /scannow" as suggested in a Microsoft KB article. This returned no errors or corrupt files.

While playing BF3, the sound issue occurred in the middle of a game.

If an ASUS tech/engineer happens to see this, I have a case that you can update with my details: WTM20130816181244997. I really hope this issue can be fixed with software/firmware/bios update rather than a motherboard replacement. It's like having a car accident; I have insurance, but I just dont want to have to go without my car while it gets fixed.

Let me know if you need anymore details.

Cheers
Patrick